Dining with the Divas

Apollo president and CEO, Jonelle Procope, addresses the guests at Apollo Theater's 2015 Dining with the Divas Luncheon.

On Thursday, February 12th, the world famous Apollo Theater hosted its fifth annual Dining with the Divas luncheon, a fundraiser celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments of women in the arts and in business.

This year’s event raised $325,000 and will support emerging artists, education, and community programs that reach underserved children and students, and enable the Apollo to continue to serve as a town hall that both celebrates the community’s accomplishments and spotlights it challenges.

Jonelle Procope, Apollo president & CEO, kicked off the afternoon with welcome remarks and an introduction of this year’s event co-chairs, Carolyn Minick Mason, Jacqueline Nickelberry and Michelle Gadsden-Williams. The focus of this year’s Divas event was women, the arts, and activism. Debra Martin Chase, television and film producer; Lisa Quiroz, Time Warner’s Chief Diversity Officer & SVP of Corporate Responsibility and actress Tamara Tunie each gave insightful presentations about the importance of arts and activism.

“For many reasons, Dining with the Divas is one of my favorite events of the season. This is a moment for the Apollo to spotlight women impacting the world through their work,” said Jonelle Procope, President & CEO, Apollo Theater. “This year, the Apollo ‘s programming will bring many extraordinary women to the Theater in a variety of arts forms, which is very exciting and today we kicked off a year of celebrating women.”

The Apollo also announced during the event the official launch of the Apollo Women’s Committee, a new initiative that will engage a dynamic and diverse group of women year-round with activities that address issues which affect women and children and educate members on Apollo artistic and community programs. The Committee is entirely volunteer driven and each year the membership will choose the Apollo program(s) to invest in. More information about the Women’s Committee will be available at a later date.

On Thursday, February 5th, The New York Botanical Garden Conservatory Ball Gala Chairman, Carolina Herrera, hosted the annual leadership luncheon at Carolina Herrera's Madison Avenue Boutique. This year's Conservatory Ball, to be held on June 4th, will be a "Night in Coyoacán," reimagining the famed garden and studio at Casa Azul of iconic Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo.

This evening is in partnership with Carolina Herrera with additional support provided by Mercedes-Benz Manhattan. Proceeds will support the Garden's acclaimed programs in children's education and plant research and conservation.

On Thursday evening, February 12th, The Bowery Mission honored Ed Morgan, its President and CEO, for his more than 20 years of dynamic leadership and service, at The Bowery Mission's 16th annual Valentine Gala. The black tie event, which took place at The Plaza Hotel, raised almost $1 million, and had more than 320 guests in attendance. Legendary singer Darlene Love performed for the guests and NY1 political anchor Errol Louis served as the Master of Ceremonies.

Irwin Simon, Ed Morgan, and Veronica Kelly

Veronica Kelly and Irwin Simon

Commissioner Loree Sutton

The honorary event chairs for the evening were Veronica Kelly and Irwin D. Simon. The event chair was Amy Kule. Other guests in attendance included Sandra Lee, Jan and Nancy Nagel, Shirley Lord Rosenthal, and Richard and Lauren Horowitz.

The evening also celebrated the completion of a $12.8 million capital campaign that allowed the Mission to move into three new neighborhoods – Harlem, East Harlem, and the South Bronx -- doubling their capacity to offer new hope to men, women, and children.

Darlene Love

Amy Kule and Sandra Lee

The Bowery Mission has served homeless and hungry New Yorkers since 1879. Last year, The Bowery Mission provided more than 392,000 meals to men, women and children, 98,000 nights of shelter and 45,000 articles of clothing, as well as showers, haircuts, and expert medical and optometric care. Each meal and every night of shelter is an invitation to residential recovery programs, where men and women get a second chance and lives are transformed from hopelessness to hope. Last year, the Mission's residential programs served more than 300 men and women who are regaining sobriety, reconnecting with family and faith, pursuing educational goals, and preparing for work and independent living. To ensure that at-risk children have a positive first chance at life, The Bowery Mission's city camp and summer camp serves nearly 1,100 at-risk children from poor city neighborhoods. www.bowery.org

The Kravis Center's 2015 Gala, held on February 8th at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, and chaired by Monika Preston, was a sold out affair. Guests enjoyed a special performance by the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra under the direction of conductor Keith Lockhart.

Following the performance, there was dinner in the Cohen Pavilion where abstract black and white décor was complemented by vibrant yellow lilies, long panels of cascading fabric and global mobiles filled with musical instruments suspended from the ceiling. With dinner came dancing to the sounds of the Marcia Mitchell Music.

"The Kravis Center is a place where people come together, and because of your support, the Center has truly changed the cultural climate of Palm Beach County," began Mrs. Preston. "We are most grateful for the vital role each of you plays in helping the Kravis Center continue to serve our community by attending our annual benefit."

John and Monika Preston

Katie and Leo Vecellio

Mrs. Preston, who has served as the Gala Chair for three consecutive years, thanked Honorary Chair and special friend, Kathryn Vecellio, and recognized Vice Chairs, Cameron Preston, Angela Vecellio and Tara Vecellio, for their energy, elegance and hard work - along with their introduction of the Center to a new generation of Kravis Center supporters.

Centrally located in West Palm Beach, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is one of the premier performing arts centers in the Southeast with a renowned national and international reputation. Established as a leading force in the social fabric of the community, its many outreach programs are as broad and varied as the community itself. To date, the Center has opened the door to the performing arts for approximately 2 million school children.

For general information about the Kravis Center performances, please visit the Center's website at www.kravis.org